2011 AHR EXPO Product Review

Tue, 2011-03-01 12:00

A look back at what you might have missed ...

Plastic pipingApproved by FM Global for light-hazard fire-sprinkler applications, polypropylene-random plastic is used in Greenpipe F and FireStop pipes. Available in ¾- to 4-in. diameters, the pipes feature heat-fusion-welded connections, meaning no glues, cements, or sealants are needed. Not chemically sensitive, the pipes can be used with glycerin and glycol. Impact-resistant and freeze-tolerant, the pipes are opaque and, therefore, do not support microbiological growth.—Aquatherm Circle 1

Circulating pumpsDesigned for thermal solar systems and most circulation-pump applications for which conventional power is not available, ecocirc SC Solar direct-current spherical-motor circulating pumps feature direct connections to photovoltaic panels. The pumps have a soft startup and require less than 1 w of power. The pumps come with an over-temperature safety device that shuts off pump electronics when temperatures reach 230˚F. All parts of the pumps that are exposed to fluid are corrosion-resistant.—Bell & Gossett from ITT Corp. Circle 2

Spot air conditionersOffice Pro W20 water-cooled, portable spot air conditioners offer a cooling capacity of 15,700 Btuh. The units are designed for applications where air-cooled spot air conditioners cannot be used because there is no drop ceiling or other available space in which to exhaust hot air. Self-contained, the air conditioners combine a compressor, condenser, and evaporator within a single housing. No external condensing units or refrigerant charging are required. The units can be wheeled into place, connected to a water supply, plugged into a standard 115-v electrical outlet, and turned on.—MovinCool Circle 3

Heat-transfer fluidSpecially formulated for geothermal heat-pump systems, DOWFROST GEO 20 is a ready-to-use inhibited-propylene-glycol-based heat-transfer fluid. Biodegradable, the fluid has a low order of toxicity and is formulated with 20-percent propylene glycol by volume to provide high heat-transfer efficiency. The fluid also contains corrosion inhibitors that satisfy the requirements of ASTM D1384, Standard Test Method for Corrosion Test for Engine Coolants in Glassware, protecting equipment from damage or failure when used at full strength.—Dow Polyglycols, Surfactants and Fluids (PS&F), a business unit of The Dow Chemical Co. Circle 4

Fabric-duct systemsFeaturing an in-duct cylindrical tensioning device that eliminates sagging and wrinkling, SkeleCore fabric-duct systems maintain an inflated appearance, even during idle air-handler periods. Because of the tensioning device, the popping sound often associated with equipment startup is eliminated. The systems consist of a ¾-in.-diameter, lightweight aluminum tube supporting a series of 3/16-in.-diameter powder-coated-steel connecting rings sized to administer tension on inner fabric-duct walls for a permanently inflated appearance. The backbone tubes are 6 ft long and designed to snap into the support rings and couplers with a spring-loaded, quick-connect/release mechanism. The systems are available in 15 diameters ranging from 8 to 36 in.—DuctSox Circle 5

Dedicated outdoor-air systemsDesigned to supply outdoor ventilation air to a building independent of the HVAC air-distribution or conditioning system, CITY MULTI VRF dedicated outdoor-air systems (DOAS) use heat recovery to provide free reheat. The DOAS precondition outside air for introduction into downstream HVAC units, lessening the load on HVAC systems. Because HVAC systems have to work less to condition air to a certain temperature when used in conjunction with the DOAS, end-users can save on utility costs. Available for use in new construction or retrofit commercial applications, DOAS accept 100-percent outside air at temperatures ranging from -4˚F wet bulb to 109˚F wet bulb, preconditioning up to 1,200 cfm of air for introduction into downstream HVAC units.—Mitsubishi Electric Circle 6

EconomizersJADE economizers use outdoor air to cool and ventilate indoor spaces. The economizers include a liquid-crystal display that delivers continuous messages, important diagnostics, and system status and provide on-board fault detection and diagnostics, which quickly identify sensor failure or loss of communication. Additionally, the economizers feature built-in freeze protection to protect coils when temperatures drop.—Honeywell Circle 7

Adjustable-frequency drivesThe M-Max series of sensorless vector adjustable-frequency drives offers increased system efficiency and product life. Including both single- and three-phase devices, the microprocessor-based drives incorporate standard features that can be programmed to tailor performance to suit a variety of applications, including pumps, fans, and transport drives. When mounted, the drives can be installed side-by-side. With integrated electromagnetic compatibility filters, the drives meet the requirements of commercial and industrial networks.—Eaton Corp. Circle 8

Screw chillersYVAA air-cooled variable-speed screw chillers have design energy-efficiency ratios of up to 11.6. On replacement projects, the chillers’ energy performance can exceed that of older chillers by as much as 50 percent, while performance on new projects can exceed that of similar chillers by up to 25 percent. The chillers’ performance can be tailored to meet targets for state, municipal, or utility rebates, where available. Additionally, the SilentNight feature works with a building-automation system to load-limit the chillers when noise reduction is a priority.—York by Johnson Controls Circle 9

Condensing boilersAvailable in five models ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 million Btuh, CREST condensing boilers offer firetube technology integrated with SMART TOUCH operating controls. With thermal efficiencies of up to 99 percent, the fully modulating boilers feature a low-nitrogen-oxide combustion system with a stainless-steel heat exchanger and a dual-system burner design with a turndown ratio of up to 25-to-1. The top-mounted, single micro-metal-fiber burners serve as two combustion systems in one, each with its own blower and gas-valve assembly to power the combustion process based on demand.—Lochinvar Circle 10

Centrifugal chillersIntended for universities, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, and data centers, 700-ton Magnitude centrifugal chillers feature an oil-free, magnetic-bearing design. The positive-pressure, oil-free design ensures the chillers’ efficient performance is sustainable through the units’ operating life because there is no oil to contaminate the refrigerant and degrade system efficiency. The chillers have an integrated part-load value as low as 0.306 kw per ton, while maintaining full-load efficiency at 0.532 kw per ton. Using R-134a refrigerant, the chillers have no ozone-depletion potential or phaseout schedule.—McQuay International, a member of Daikin Group Circle 12

Draft-control systemsSequence draft-control systems are complete engineered venting systems that maintain consistent flue pressure for hot-water appliances within the parameters of manufacturer requirements, ensuring optimal system performance and safe evacuation of combustion gas. The systems are designed to work with any combination of hot-water appliances, providing design solutions for complex installations requiring common venting. The systems monitor and adjust stack and boiler outlet pressure and can be customized to fit specific building and appliance requirements using off-the-shelf components.—Schebler Chimney Systems Circle 13

Central monitoring stationsUseful in hospitals and laboratories, CMS-1650 central monitoring stations allow “at-a-glance” review of status for up to four rooms. The stations can be deployed in any situation in which room status (including isolation mode, alarm status, and room pressure) needs to be monitored closely. Available as a surface or flush-mounted unit, the stations integrate into a building’s BACnet network and mate with fifth-generation FMS controllers, providing individual-room control with monitoring capabilities from a central location.—Triatek Circle 14

Hydrogen/refrigerant testerDesigned to use a safe, non-toxic tracer-gas mix of 5-percent hydrogen and 95-percent nitrogen (or any gas mixture with hydrogen), the Trace300 benchtop hydrogen/refrigerant leak detector determines leak tightness. It also can be used with applications in which 100-percent hydrogen is present. The tool can detect refrigerants such as R-22, R-134a, and R-410a.—NuvoTrace Circle 15

Coil packsKOIL-KIT coil packs provide simplified coil-circuit installation while ensuring hydronic-system design requirements are met. The coil packs can be built to meet the needs of end-users and are provided as a preassembled package featuring drain valves, coil hoses, union port fittings, and balancing valves. Available in ½- to 2-in. sizes, the coil packs are suitable for a variety of hot- and cold-water applications, including treated and untreated water systems.—Victaulic Circle 16

Duct-temperature sensorsFeaturing a Qwik Connect system that eliminates wire nuts, Qwik Series duct-temperature sensors come in three styles. The Qwik Box features a galvanized enclosure and is available in IP40- and IP54-rated models. IP54-rated, the Qwik Mini features a plastic enclosure. The Qwik Flange is available with a variable-air-volume option. All of the sensors come in a variety of negative-temperature-coefficient-thermistor or resistance-temperature-detector elements and have probe lengths from 4 to 18 in. The sensors also feature a small outdoor sensor, strap-on pipe sensor, and immersion sensor.—Tasseron Sensors and Controls Inc. Circle 17

Spring-return actuatorsDesigned for hot-water, chilled-water, and steam-valve applications, the M900 series of electromechanical spring-return actuators offers quick field setup of all popular proportional and floating input signals. The actuators feature spring returns, including extend and retract models, that react in instances of power failure to provide maximum flexibility for use with new and existing valve bodies, preventing mechanical stress and system water hammer.—Schneider Electric Circle 18

BACnet building controllersDesigned to exceed the requirements of a BACnet operator workstation, MACH-ProWeb BACnet building controllers are fully programmable with a built-in Web server and flexible Web operator interface. The controllers can be integrated into the MACH-System by programming the MACH-ProWeb point database, Control-BASIC sequence, and graphics, then dragging and dropping resource files using MACH-ProWeb Tools to build a Web interface. The interface provides the functionality required for day-to-day building operations. Using a standard browser on a PC or Mac, a user can enter the URL of the interface and navigate through the system to access and print point values, alarms, schedules, trend logs, runtime logs, and audit trails.—Reliable Controls Circle 19